Circuit breaker



l F. G. voN HOORN Re. 22,218;

Hummm original Filed June 1e, v195'? s sheet is A1; orneg.

s' I Invehtor:

Fred. G. vo'n Hoorn,

n H t o t ,um f, f

' Nov. 3, 1942. F. s. voN HOORN Re. 22,218

CIRCUIT BREAKER Original Filed June 18, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 f f wwww uuml...-

Fig. I0.

Inventor:

, Fred @Non Hoorn,

Attorneg.

' returningthe switch member,

- .Recsuecl Nov. 3, 1942 CIRCUIT BREAKER Fred G. von Hoorn. Bridgeport,Conn., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of 4 New YorkOriginal No. 2,150,013, dated March 7, 1939, Serial No. 148,937, June18, 1937.l Renewed April 25, 1938. Application for reissue September 23,1941, Serial No. 412,010

39 Claims. (Cl. 20G- 116) My invention relates to circuit breakers, moreparticularly to thermal circuit breakers and has for its object asimple, reliable and inexpensive device of this character.

This invention, which is an improvement of the circuit breaker describedand claimed in my copending application, Ser. No. 122,581, led Jan--uary 27, 1937, has special application to circuit breakers of smallphysical size such as used in branch electric lighting circuits or asentrance panying tudinal drawings, Fig. l of which is thelongilsectional view of a circuit breaker embodying my invention showingthe parts in full circuit breakers for the building. The device is joperable manually to open and close the circuit and also responsive toexcessive current condif tions. to open the circuit independently of'the operating handle. CircuitY breakers embodying my invention may beconstructed with relatively small overall dimensions and at low costwhile being capable of interrupting alternating currents oi shortcircuit magnitude, for example, on the order of 5000 to 10,000 amperesor more Yand at lighting circuitfvoltages such as 125 volts or more.

In carrying out my invention in one form I provide a switch member orblade which is mounted for pivotal movement about a plurality of points.One end of this switch member is normally` held by a current responsiveelement, while the other end carries a switch contact. The switch memberis normally operated by a handle having a face cooperating with theswitch member at an intermediate point thereof. It is biased by a springvto an open circuit position and is held by the handle in the closedcircuit position through the agency of a spring on the switch memberitself. When the handle is moved to open and close the circuit, vtheswitch member pivots about the end which is held by the currentresponsive element, while on overload, when this end is released, theswitch blade pivots about the operating handle in moving to the opencircuit position, the handle being moved thereby towards its opencircuit position.

I have also provided means for automatically when it is released by thecurrent responsive element, to a position in which it is secured by thecurrent responsive element when the element has cooled. I fur- Kthermore provide a common operating handle arrangement for t esimultaneous operation of two circuit breakers arranged side by side,this arrangement 'likewise giving an indication when either one Aor bothof the circuit breakers opens on overload. 1

For` a more complete understanding of my in vention reference should behad to the accomin closed circuit position and dotted in manual opencircuit position; Fig. 2 is' a fragmentary view similar to Fig. l, butshowing the breaker in overload tripped open circuit position afteroperation of the overload responsive means; Fig. 3 is a sectional'viewtakenalong the line 3, 3 of Fig. l looking in the direction of thearrows; Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of the switch member andoperating handle with the handle disassembled; Fig. 5 is a longitudinalsectional view showing a modiiied form of my invention in the opencircuit position; Fig. 6 is a plan view with part of the cover cutv'away showing an assembly of two circuit breakers such as shown in Fig.5 With a common operating member; Fig. 7 is an exploded view of thecommon operating member for the two circuit breakers of Fig. 6; Fig. 8is a plan view with part of the cover cut away on a reduced scaleshowing an. assembly in a metal box or cabinet of two circuit breakerssuch as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 together with the connection blocks forthe electric circuit; Fig. 9 is a View l similar to Fig. 5, but showingthe circuit in closed |"I oithe floating position; Fig. 10 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 9, but

showing the circuit breaker in the overload tripped open position, whileFigs. 11 and 12 are detail views in section of a modified form ofcommonactuating means.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown my invention as embodied in acircuit breaker of quite small physical size and such as might be usedas an entrance switchand circuit breaker for a dwelling house. Of coursethe size and characteristics of the device will be selected to take careof desired normal current and overload current. It, is especiallyadapted for use in alternating currentcircuits and in such circuits itperforms as well the safety function of a. fuse interrupting shortcircuit currents of 5000 to 10,000 amperes or more depending on the sizeof the breaker.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive of the drawings, my invention in oneform comprises anl electrically insulating base or casing l0 which maybe molded from a suitable plastic insulating material such asa phenoliccondensation product. In this base is mounted a switch member or bladetype,A i. e., it is mounted for pivotal 'movement selectively about aplurality of points. As shown, the member Il is mounted by means of atransversely extending guide pin 'I2 near its middle and nearer the endbearing a movable switch contactl 3.

Thisguide pin I2 has its ends sliding in grooves or slots I t and'Iiprovided in opposite walls of 4the'casing I0, the slots beingperpendicular to the bottom of the casing. The switch member isVoperated between itsclosed position, shown in Fig. 1, and its openposition, shown dotted in `Fig. 1, by means of a handle I6 supported ona pivot I1. This handle has a plane operating projection or cam face I8at a predetermined distance from thepivot I1, and which engages theswitch blade to move it between its openl and closed positions againstthe bias of a helical spring, located under` the switch blade below theguide pin IZ-and exerting a pressure on the switch bladein an upwarddirection as viewed in the drawings, i. e. in the direction 'oi'l thegrooves or slots I4 and I5. Thus thespring biases the switch blade tothe open position, the blade moving about its left-hand end which issecured by a current responsive element shown as a bimetallicthermostatic strip 2l. l

23 and a second terminal 30 on the exterior ofthe casing.r The switchmember is guided by oppositewalls of the casing near the contact I3, oneof these walls 3l being shown.. In other words, the casingis just wideenough at this point topermit free movement of they switch blade whileholding the switch Vblade in its operative position.

As shown in Fig. 4, thehandle `I6 is provided for guiding resettingpurposes with a member shownas a loop portion 32 made of a steel wire,the upper ends `of the wire being turned in-' ward towardseach other andeach extending into an aperture provided for it inthe handle. Fur- Thus,when the handle is moved to the closed position, as shown in Fig. l, theprojection or cam face I8 forces the switch blade downward tobring thecontact I3 carried by it into engagement with the stationary contact 22.

shown in Fig. l, dotted, the cam face I8 is moved away from the upperedge of the switch bladefso as to allow the switch blade to be moved tothe open position by the spring 20. It will be noted When the handle isvImoved toward the right to the oi position, as

that the face I 8 is so disposed that a force perpendicular thereto atits middle passes substan tially through the pivot I1 whereby/the forceapplied by the switch member secures the han'dle in its closed circuitposition.

To assure al good electrical contact when in i the closedfcircuitposition, a straight spring strip 23 is mounted on the upper edge oftheswitch blade and it is with this spring that theA handle IB engages.This straight spring 23 is stronger than the biasing spring 2|) andconsequentlyholds the contacts I3 and 22 into engagement with each otherwith a resilient force thereby assuring a good contact and providing forgreater manufacturing tolerances i'n the parts and for subsequent wear.

The bimetallic thermostatic strip 2| is mounted at its upper end on anvelectrically. conducting support 24 which leads to a 'terminal connector25 on the exterior of the Vswitch casing. By means of an adjustmentscrew 26 on a support 28a the support 24 may be bent slightly either tothe left or to the'right to adjust the position of the lowerend of thebimetallic strip and therefore its currentrating, i. e.l ther currentvalue in response to which the strip is distorted laterally tar' enoughto release the switch member on overload. The mnsverse support 28a maybe secured by insertits ends in slots (not shown) providedlfor it in the'opposite walls of the` casing. As shown,

e the thermostatic strip is provided with an aperture 21 adjacent itslower end in which the letthand end of the switch blade extends andrests on the lower edge of the bimetallic strip. -A nexible electricalconnection 28, shown as a cable, is provided between 4the lower end o!the bimetal strip 2| and the switch blade. i'

Thus, referring to Fig. 1, a circuit may be traced through the cil-cuitbreaker from the thermore, a slot or groove 33 is provided on each sideof the handle in which the upperends of the loop 32 lie. In otherwords,` the handle I6 is somewhat thicker than the switchblade II so asto provide material for the walls of the grooves 33, the loop 32 closelyembracing the switchmember, although being loose enough for freemovement.

As previously indicated, the purpose of the loop extension 32 on thehandle is to guide and reset the switch member IIfafter it hasbeenreleased 'on overload by the thermal element 2|. In such case, theswitch member is moved by the helical V`spring 20 tothe openpositionshown in- Fig. 2.

Thus when the left-hand end-of the member is released by the thermostatthat'end is thrown down suddenly by the force exerted by the spring 20and comes 'torest against the bottom vof the casing. During thismovernentfthe` switch blade pivots about the corner 3l bf the lhandleatone edge or end of the cam faces I 8,` As the leithand end of theswitch member moves downward the bias on the handle becomes appliedalong" `a line extending to the left of the pivotlpin I1, .the corner 34on the handle ,being rounded to bring about this effect so that thehandle is moved toward its open circuit position until it is brought torest in an intermediate position by engagement between the loop member32 and fa suitable projection'35 on the lower edge of the switch,member. These positions oi the vparts are shown in Fig. 2. To close theswitch, assuming that the bimetal'has cooled suiliciently to move backin position to latch the left-handv end oi. the switch blade, the handleis first moved farther toward the right to .the full open circuit'position whereby the loop 32 byr engagementwith the projection 3.5carries the 1efthand end of the switch.'` blade upward and latches it'onthe thermostat;

Actually the left-hand end of the switch blade is moved upwardsomewhatrurther than necessary to a point' wherethe loop32 slips 'overthe projection 35, allowing the handle to move to its full oil.'position, the leftj-hand end of the switch blade then dropping somewhatifvnecessary .into e engagement with the bimetallic strip.` The partsare now in the position shown inY dotted lines in lFig. 1 which is thesame as the manual open cir-` cuit position. A n l As clearly shown inVFig, 4, the spring 23 is secured to the switch member II in parallelspaced relation therewith, .one'end being'bent downward and lying inagroove 36 in the switch blade, while the other end is oilset downwardand terminal 23, the connector 24, the bimeta'llic element'2l, theflexible conductor 28, the switch member I I, contacts I3A 22, connectorstrap secured to the switch bladev by a screw.

A suitable cover 31 made of a molded insulating compoundi is provided.This oo ver is provided with Aa recessed portion 38 adjacent the handleand extending downward near the pivot I'I Vin close relation with thehandle, a suitable aperture being provided through which the handleextends. 'Ihe handle is provided with shoulders 38 and III cuitpositions respectively forming stops which engage the lower edge of thecover in theopened circuit and closed cirf to prevent overtravel of thehandle, especially in the open position shown in dotted lines in Fig.A1.

Figs. to l0, inclusive, show a modied form of my invention in which theswitch member '4 I is automatically reset when the switch is opened on-overload. This form of my invention is also especially adapted formounting in groups, particularly in pairs in a suitable cabinet orentrance box 64, as shown in Fig. 8.

I'his'form of my invention is fundamentally the Vsame as that shown inFigs. l to 4, inclusive,

with the principal difference that an abutment 43 is providedin thecasing, preferably secured to the switch member is brought to rest whenthe switch is openedon overload. Thereafter the left-hand end .of theswitch member is forced upward 'by the spring 44 about the abutment 43as a pivot until it is in position to be secured by the thermostat whenthe parts are then in the open position shown in Fig. 5, Awhich`is thesame as the manual open position. In this form the reset projection 35on the lower edge of the switch member is omitted.

In the event, however, that vthe floating blade or contact bar 4I is notreset or returned automatically after opening in response to an overloadto the position shown in Fig. 5 withy its left-hand end in latchingengagement with the thermostat, the handle can be moved manually to theopen circuit position shown in Fig. 5 thereby to'raise the left-hand endof the contact bar and reset it on the thermostat as described inconnection with Figs. l.A to 4 inclusive. During this emergency manualresetting operation. the Wire loop forming a. part of the handle engagesand slides along the lower left-hand edge ofthe contact bar therebylifting the bar, the lower left-hand edge of the bar being formed andconstituting formation means to eect this lifting movement. v

As described in connection with Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the handle ismoved to push or cam the contact bar between its off or.ope'n circuitposition of Fig. 5 and its on or closed circuit position of Fig. 9. Inopening automatically in response to overload, the trip bar oractuatedlatter has cooled. The

`the cover, against which the' right-hand end of `ating handles 56 andvided a three being shown. These plates .are made of magnetic material,such as steel, andare placed in spaced relation opposite the contactcarrying end of the switch member. Moreover, the casing is provided witha vent opening 48 oppositethis end of the switch member, a barrier wall4 9 which may be formed -of a suitable electrically insulating materialsuch as a ber being provided lbetween the switch blade and the ventopening. This wall 49 extends upwards to 'a point near the top of thecasing so as to form an exhaust channel 5U. In this channel is placed astrip 5I of wire gauze material which is bent in zig-zag formation, asshown. The object of the gauze material is to cool the gases escapingfrom the switch when it opens and 'prevent sparks from escaping.

Therefore, when vthe switch opens an appreciable gas pressure is createdby the heat of the arc in the chamber surrounding the switch contacts 52and 53. These gases escape through the opening 50 and in so doing thearc is blown in between the extinguisher plates 41. The effect of theplates is to break upthe arc and tocool it thereby quickly extinguishingit.` The casing is substantially gas tig/ht except for the opening 50and consequently the gases are'compelled to escape through this opening.

In Fig. 6 I have shown the arrangement in a unit of two circuitbreakers. To econoinize in space the two breakers may be mounted in asingle casing provided with a single dividing wall 54 and a single cover55. Between the two oper- 51 a third dummy or operating member 58 isprovided, this handle being mounted on the samecommon pivot with thehandles 5B and 51. Moreover, the circuit breakers are arranged'withsimilar ends adjacent each other so that the handles move in parallelrelapart is moved rst counterclockwise by the spring 44 to anintermediate or "trip" position such as shown in Fig. l0, trip-free ofthe handle, andY then the spring reverses the movement of the bar totheoff position of Fig. 5. The handlev is moved at the same time to its offposition. In the event that the handle is held manually in itson"'positi on or held in some intermediate position manually or by theinterlocking com- 60 mon operating handle 58, as shown in Fig. 10, thebar comes to rest in this intermediate position. When the handle isreleased thereafter the spring 44 moves the left-hand end of the contactbar upward to relatch it on the thermostat and at the same time movesthe handle to its oi position. It will be observed that in this `form ofmy invention the switch member 4| is extended upward somewhat at theleft-hand end to form an elongated recess 45 over which the spring 4Bextends. This provides ior a straight spring strip which is an advantagefrom Vthe manufacturing standpoint.

In this forml of my invention I have also profor the purpose ofpermitting limited independent movement of 'the handle in the event ofopening of -a single circuit breaker on overload. yThis provides for aslight movement of the handle 5B also in that event to indicate that oneof the switches has tripped open. Thus when lthe two circuit breakersare either both open, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, or both closed, asshown in Fig. 9, Vthe central handle'58 moves extreme right-hand andspectively, as indicated in positionl of the middle handle 58 indicatesthat the two switches are either both open or both closed as the casemay be. In vthe event that one switch opens lon overload, however, itshandle moves towards the oiiv position somewhat carryleft-hand positionsreing along the central handle 58, as indicated in Fig. l0, untillthehandle 5B is brought to rest against the handle of the other circuitbreaker. It should be noted that the force of the spring 44 tending tothrow the handle toward its open c ircuit position on overload openingis much less than the forcefholding the handle Awhen the switchl isclosed.

breaker opens, its handle is not' biased strongly enough to open theother circuit breaker. Thus plurality of' are extinguisher plates 41, l

by its'own weight to I the drawings.V This Y Therefore when one circuitY 65a respectively.

switch member 4I is longer than that 'shown in j Figs. 1 and 2,connectionbeing made with the switch member at substantially the middlepoint thereof. This decreases the bending of the conf ductor during themovements oi' the switch member and further eliminates ma large extenincentrally of the depression provided for it inthe terference with themovements of the switch,

member.

In Fig. s I have shown a typical mainservi breaker installation for adwelling house. Two 'circuit breakers 62 and 83, preferablyconstructside of the central operating member i. e., centrally o'i thedepression Il o1' Pig. 7.

spring' 1| is quite fragile and has sufllcient force only to hold thethree parts in alinement.` It does not oiier any substantial resistanceuto movement of either one o1 the handles 15 and 1I ini the event thatthe circuit breaker corresponding to one ot these handles is opened onoverload. Thus the handles in that event assume the relative positionsshown in Fig. 10, as indi-` cated in Fig. 11. Y l

While I have shown a particular embodiment oi' my invention, itV will beunderstood, of course,

that I d0 not Wish' to be limited thereto Since ed as shown in Figs. 6,7, 9 and 10, are mounted in a steel vbox B4 while connection or terminalblocks 65 andGSa for each breaker are mounted i .in a second box 66adjacent thereto. The two boxes arev secured together by a conduit andbushing connection 81 and they may be further secured by mounting themon a common support. To facilitate this assembly, the two terminals ofthe circuit breaker are brought out at' the same end of thecircuitbreaker. Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, a connection strap, leads from thethermostat support 69 along the outer side of the breaker to theright-hand end. The other many modications may be made, and I therelorecontemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modiiications asfall within Vthe true spirit and scope oi my invention.

What I claim as new and Y Letters Patent 0f the United States is:

terminal 'l0 from the stationary contact 53 isV brought out just below'the vent opening 48. These terminals 88 tand 'l0 are connected, as shownin Fig. 8, to the connection blocks B5 and This arrangement isespecially suitable-for a three wire neutral service connection. Thethree wires will be, brought into the box 66 through a suitableknockout. The neutral wire is connected to a terminal block 'Il in thebox 68, which. terminal block is grounded to the box and it will be alsogrounded preferably to a water'pipe or other convenient groundingmedium. This grounding connection to the water pipe may be made byrunning a ground wire from the terminal block II through the conduit B1and thence out of the box 6l through a suitable knockout.

The two vungrounded service wires -are connected respectively to thebreaker terminal blocks 65, only one oi' which is shown. The supplycircuits will be run out ofthe box 6I from the two terminal blocks 65a.only oneor -which is shown, and from the neutralterminal block 1| asdesired.

Referring to'Figs. 11 and 12, the two handles and the central operatingmember may be resiliently heldv in alinement with each other by means ofa suitable spring. As-sho the central operating member 1I is providedwith a transverse aperture for a'wire spring 1I, the aperture beingenlarged at each end to provide for exing oi' thel spring at each end.The ends of the Spring at some suitable point above the pivot axis oithe three members preferably about hal! way between thev axis and theends oi' the members.

that the spring wire holds each outside handle said switch member in thecircuit of .Inthusaliningthemembersitwillbeobserved" 1. A circuitbreaker comprising a switch member, a handle of electrically insulatingmaterial, means'pivotally mounting said handle, a spring biasing saidswitch member against said handle, said handle being provided with yaface located a predetermined distance from the pivot of said handle forengagement with said switchmember in dependence upon the position ofsaid handle, a spring strip secured to said switch member and having aportion in spaced relation with said switch member forming abearingsurface for said handle, load responsive means securing one endof said switch member whereby movement of said handle moves said switchmember about said secured encl, and circuit controlling means op-'against said handle, saidhandle being provided with a face located apredetermined, distance from the pivot of said handle for engagementwith said switch member in 'dependence upon the position oi' saidhandle, a spring strip securedto said switch member and having a por-`tion in spaced-relation withI said switch member forming a-bearingsurface for said handle, thermal load responsive means'securing one endof said switch member whereby vmovement of said handle moves said switchvmember about vsaid secured end, and circuit controlling means operatedby said switch member.

3.v A 'circuit breaker comprising an electrically conducting switchmember, means mounting said switch member for pivotal movement aboutfaplurality ci points, a current responsive device normally securing oneend of said switch member, a contact carried by the other end of -saidswitch member, electrical connections connecting the breaker. springmeans biasing said switch member to an open circuit position aboutsaidcurrent responsive device as a pivot, a handle made ot electri- 'callyinsulating material engaging said switch member to move it between itsopen and closed circuit positions, said spring moving said switch memberabout said handle to its open circuit poy Except for the addition of thespring the three members may be constructed as shown in Fig. 7. Thisdesire to secure by i switch member to its open Eising said switch ber,electrica1 connections connecting said switch member in the circuit ofthe breaker, a current responsive device normally securing the other endof said switch member, a spring biasing said circuit position about saidcurrent responsive device as a pivot, a handle made of electricallyinsulating material envmember to move` it between its open and closedcircuit positions, said spring moving said lswitch member about saidhandle as a pivot tov its open circuit position when said switch memberis released by said current responsive device, and a stop engaged by themovable spring, said face being so end ofmsaid switch member in its opencircuit position and 'about which said spring movessaid switch member.to a position to be secured by said current responsive device. I

5. A circuit breaker comprising a switch member, a contact cooperatingwith one end of said v switch member, a current responsive thermostatnormally securing the other end of said switch member, a spring biasingsaid switch member to an open circuit position about said thermostat asa. pivot, a handle or electrically insulating material, means pivotallymounting said handle at a point intermediate the ends of said switchmember and in the path of movement of said switch member so that saidswitch member is biased by said spring toward said pivot point, saidhandle being provided with a face located a predetermined distance fromthe pivot of said handle for engagement with said switch member independence upon the position o! said handle to thereby move ,said switchmember between its open and closed circuit positions, said switch memberwhen -released by said thermostat being moved'by said spring about saidhandle as a pivot to its open circuit position, and a stop engaged bysaid switch member in its open circuitposition about which said springmoves said switch member to aposition to b e secured by said thermostat.

6. A circuit breaker comprisingv a switch member, a contact cooperatingwith one end lof said switch member, a current responsive thermostatnormaliysecuring the other end'of saidv switch member, a spring biasingsaid switch member to an open circuit position about said thermostat asa pivot, a handle ot electrically insulating material, means pivotallymounting said handle at a point intermediatethe ends of said switchmember and inthe path of movement of said switch member, saidhandlebeing provided with a face located a predetermined distance fromthe pivot oi said handle for engagementiwith said switch member independence upon the pivotal position of said handle to thereby move saidswitch member between its open and closed circuit positions, said switchmember when released by said ther'- mostat `being moved by said springabout one edge of said race as a pivot to its open circuit positionwhereby said handle is thrown to its open circuit position, and a stopengaged by said switch member in its open circuit position about whichsaid face by said switch member, nating in a shoulder about lpivotalmovement about a vbeing moved thereby to its open circuit member andsaid lace .spring moves said switch member to a position to be securedby said thermostat.

.'7. A circuit breaker comprising a switch member, means mounting saidswitch member for plurality or points, a current responsive devicenormally securing one end of said switch member, switch member to anopen circuit position about said end as a pivot, and a handle having aface movable into engagementwith said switch member to thereby move saidswitch member to a closed circuit Aposition against the force of saiddisposed that said handle is held in its closed circuit position by theforce applied to said face by said switch member, and said faceterminating in a shoulder about which said switch member pivots to itsopen p04 sition when released by said current responsive device, saidhandle being moved thereby to its open circuit position by the forceapplied to said shoulder by said switch member.

ber, means mounting -said switch member for pivotal movement abouta'plurality of points, a current responsive device normally securing oneend of said switch member, switch member to an open circuit positionabout said end as a. pivot, and a pivotally mounted handle having a facemovable into engagement with said switch member t0 thereby move saidswitch member to a closed circuit position against the force of saidspring, said face being so disposed that a force applied perpendicularlythereto at some point passes through the pivot of said handle, wherebysaid handle is secured in its closed circuit position by the forceapplied to said which said switch member pivots to its open positionwhen released by said current responsive position by the force appliedto saidl shoulder by said switch member.

9. A circuit breaker comprising an elongated current carrying switchmember, means mount,- ing said switch member for pivotal movement abouta plurality of points, a. current' responsive thermostat normallysecuring one end of said switch member, a switch contact carried by theother end of said switch member, a spring b iasing said switch memberto,Y an open circuit position about said thermostat as a'pivot. and apivotally mounted handle having a plane face movable into engagementwith said switch member to thereby move said switch member to its closedcircuit position against the force of said spring, said face being sodisposed that a force applied perpendicularly thereto at some pointpasses through the pivot of said handle, whereby said handle is securedin its closed circuit position by the torce appliedvto said face bysaid'switch about whichsaid switch member pivots to its open positionwhen released by said thermostat,

said handle being thereby thrown to its open-cir# cuit position by'theforce applied to said shoulder by said switch member.

' 10. A circuit breaker member, means mounting said switch member forpivotal movement about a a contact carried by a normallymovable end oisaid switch member, a current responsive thermostat normally switchmember, end t0 an open securing the other end of said a spring biasingsaid movable circuit position about said thera spring biasing said` aspring biasing said and said face termidevice, said handle terminatingin a shoulderl comprising a switch Y plurality of points,

. member to move it betweenits open and closed circuit positions, saidspring moving said switch member about said handle as a pivot to itsopen circuit position when said switch member is released by saidthermostat and said handle being returned thereby to its open circuitposition, a stop engaging the movable end of said-switch member in itsopen circuit position and about which said spring moves said switchmember to a position to be secured bysaid thermostat.

11. A circuit breaker comprising a switch member, means mounting saidswitch member for pivotal movement about a plurality of points, acontact carried by a normally movable. end Voi said switchmember, acurrent responsive device normally securing the other end of said.switch member, a spring biasing said movable end to an openv circuitposition about said current responsive device asa pivot, a handle'engaging said switch member to move it between its `open and closedcircuit positions,said spring moving said Vswitch member about saidhandle as a pivot to its open circuit position when said switch memberis released by said current responsive device, Va stop engaged by themovable end ofsaid switch member in its open circuit position and aboutwhichv saidr spring moves said switch-member to a position to be securedby said current responsive device, and a spring strip secured to saidswitch v member and having a portion in spaced relation with said switchmember forming a bearing sur-` face for said handle. l A Y 12. A circuitbreaker comprising a switch member, means mounting said switch memberfor pivotal movement about a plurality of points, a

` 4 22,218 mostat as a pivot, a handle engagingV said switch contactcarried by a normally movable end of said switch member, a currentresponsive device normally securing a, normally fixed end of said switchmember. a spring biasing said movable end of said switch member to anopen circuit position about said fixed end as av pivot, and a pivotallymounted handle having a face movable into engagement with said switchmember to thereby.v

move said switch member to a closed circuit position against the forceof said spring. said face being so disposed that a force appliedr.perpendicularly thereto at someV point passes through the pivot ofsaid handle, whereby said handle is secu-red inits closed circuitposition by theforce applied to said face by said switch member, and

said face terminatingin a shoulder about which said switch-member pivotsto its operi 'position when released by said' current responsive device,said handle being moved thereby to its open circuit positionby the forceapplied to said shoulder by said switch member, a springI strip securedto said switch member and having a portion in spaced relation with saidswitchmember iorming a bearing surface forfsaid handle, and a stopengaged bythe movable reuri oi said switch member in its open circuitposition :and about which said spring moves VsaidfswitchA member aftersaid switch member is released by'said cur- Y* rent responsive device toa position to be secured by said thermostat.

`13; A circuit breaker `comprising 'an elongatedl electricallyconducting switch member.' aprojecf tion on said member` at anintermediate point thereof, asupportfor said switch memberprovided witha guide for s aid projection extending when said switch member visreleased by said current responsive device, and a stop engaged by saidswitch` member at a point between said spring and. said 'movable endwhen said switch member isin its open circuit position, said operatingmember being moved to its open circuit position' by said switch whensaid switch member is released by said current responsive devicewhereupon said spring moves said switch member about said stop asa pivotto a position to be secured by said current responsive device.

' 14. A circuit breakercomprising an elongated electrically conductingswitch member, a projection on said member at an intermediate pointthereof; a support for said switchmember provided with a guide for saidprojection extending transversely with respect to said switch member, aswitch contact carried on a movable -end of said switch member, acurrent responsivedevice normally securingthe other normally fixed endof said switch member, a spring bearing on said switch member at a pointadjacent saidprojecbetween its open and closed circuit positions, saidspring-moving said switch member about said handley as a pivot to itsopen circuit position when said switch member is released by saidcurrent rresponsive device, and a stop engaged by v said switch memberat a point between said projection and said movable end when said switchmember'is in its open circuit position, said handle being moved to` itsopen circuit position by said switch member when said switch member isreleased by said current responsive device whereupon said spring movessaid switch member about said stop as a pivot to a position to besecured by said current responsive device.

15. A circuit breaker comprising an elongated electrically conductingswitch member, a pin extending transversely f'through said member at apoint near its'center, a support for said switch member provided withguides `ior the ends of said pin extendingftransversely with respect tosaid switch member, a movable switch contact carried on a movable end oisaid switch member nearer n, said guid pin, a cooperating stationarycontact,

transversely'with respect to said switch member,

circuit control means operated'by a-movable end of said switch member,Aa current responsive devicenormally securing the other normally ilxed 75a current responsive thermostat` vsecuring the' other normally iixed endof said switch member;

a spring bearing Von said switchmember at a point adjacent said l,guidepin and having its line of torce parallel with said guides for biasingsaid switch member to'an open circuit position about said currentresponsive device as a pivot, a handle engagingsaid switch member atsubstantially the center thereof and at a point between said guide pinand said normally fixed endior moving said switch member betweenv itsopen and closed circuitpesitions, said spring moving said `switch end oiAsaid switch member, a spring bearing on` member engaging member aboutsaid handle as a pivot to its open circuit position when said switchmember is released by said thermostat, and -a stop engaged by saidswitch member at a point between said guide pin and said movable endwhen said switch member is in its open circuit position, said handlebeing moved to its open circuit position by said switch member when saidswitch member is released by said thermostat whereupon said spring movessaid switch member about said stop as a pivot to a position to besecured by said thermostat, and a spring strip secured tov saidswitchmember and having a portion in spaced relation with said switch memberforming a bearing surface for said handle whereby said movable switch isresiliently held in engagement with said xed contact when said switchmember is in its closed circuit position. f

16. A circuit breaker comprising a switch member, means mounting saidswitch member for pivotal movement about a plurality of points, acurrent responsive device normally securing one end of said switchmember, a spring biasing said switch member to an open circuit positionabout said end as a pivot, and a pivotally mounted handle having a facemovable into engagement with said switch member to thereby move saidswitch member to a closed circuit position against the force of saidspring, said face being so disposed that said handle is secured in itsclosed position by the force applied to said face by said switch member,and saidk face terminating in a `shoulder about which said switch'member pivots to its open position when released by'said currentresponsive device, said handlebeing moved thereby toward its open'circuit position by the force applied to said shoulder by said switchmember, a projection on said switch member, and an extension member onsaid handle engaging said projection to hold said handle in a positionintermediate said closed and open circuit posi-I tions when said switchmember is released by said current responsive device.V l

17. A circuit breaker comprising a switch member, a handle, meanspivotally mounting said handle, means biasing said switch member againstsaid handle, said handle being provided with a projection for engagementwith said switch member in dependence upon the position r of saidhandle, current responsive means securing one end of said switch memberwhereby movement or said handle moves said switch member about saidsecured end between-closed and open circuit positions, said switchmember when released by said'current responsive means being moved bysaid sp'ring about said projection to its open circuit position wherebysaid handle is moved toward its open circuit position, a projection onsaid switch member, and a resetting member on said handle engaging saidprojection to`hold said handle in'an intermediate position when saidswitch member is released by said current responsive means, saidresetting member cooperating with said switch member upon movement ofsaid y return said iixedend to a. position to be secured y.by saidcurrent -responsive means.

18. A vcircuit breaker comprising a floating switch member, a contactcooperating with one end of said switch member, a current responsivethermostat normally securing the other normally nxed end of said switchmember, a spring biasing said switch member to an open position abouthandle to its open circuit position to` member, a contact cooperating ofsaid switch member and in the path of movement of'said switch providedwith a projection for engagement with said switch member in dependenceupon the position of said handle to thereby move said switch memberbetween its 'open' and closed circuit positions, said switch member whenreleased by said thermostat being moved by said spring about said handleas a pivot to its open circuit position whereby said handle is movedtoward its open circuit position, a projection on said switch member,and a resetting member on said handle engaging said projection to holdsaid handle in an intermediate position when said switch member isreleased by said thermostat, said resetting member cooperating with saidswitch member upon movement of said handle to its open circuit positionto return said ii-xed end to a, position to be secured by saidthermostat.

19. A- circuit breaker comprising a switch with one end of said switchmember, a current responsive thermostat normally securing the otherfixed end of said switch member, a spring biasing said switch member tothe open position about said thermostat as a, pivot, a handle, meanspivotally mounting said handle at a point intermediate the ends of saidswitch member and in the path of movement of said switch member, saidhandle being provided with a projection arranged for engagement withsaid switch member in dependencel upon the position of said handle tothereby move said switch member between its open and closed circuitpositions, said switch member when released by said thermostat beingmoved by said spring about said handle to its open circuit posisaidthermostat as a pivot, a. handle o! electrically insulating material,means pivotally mounttion with the pivots of l tially common axis andsaid handles movable totion whereby said handle is moved toward its opencircuit position, a projection on said switch member, and a resettingmember'on said handle closelyn encircling said switch member to form a'guide therefor and engaging said projection to hold said handle in aposition intermediate said closed and open circuit positions` when saidswitch-member is released by said thermostat, said resetting memberengaging said switch member upon movement of said handle to its toreturn said fixed end to a' position to be secured by saidthermostat.

20. The combination with a .plurality ofcircuit" with an operatinghandle an open circuit position breakers each provided arranged Yto moveto when the circuit breaker opens in response toV the current passingtherethrough, oi' means securing said breakers together in side by siderelasaid handles on a substangether between the closed and open circuitpositions, a common actuating member for said handles pivotally mountedbetween said handles, and a. pair of flanges on each side 'of saidactuating member loosely embracing said handles respectively so thatwhen one of said circuit breakers opens in response to current thehandle of that breaker is free to move through a limited angle towardits open circuit position. 21. The combination with a closed positionwhenthe breaker is closed, of

means securing said breakers together in side ing said handle at a pointintermediate the ends.

member, said handle being plurality c: 'en cuit breakers' each providedwith an operating member overlapping` theends 'oi said handles, and apair oi' anges-on each sideoi said actuating member loos'ely embracingsaid handles respectively so that when one of said circuit breakersopens in response to current the handle oi that breaker is free to movethrough a limited 22,218 by side relation with the pivots of saidhandles on a substantially common axis and said handles movable 'inparallel relation between the closed and vopen circuit positions, acommon actuating member for said handles pivotally mounted be- "tweensaid handles, a head on said actuating angle toward its open -circuitposition` until brought to rest by vthe other handle through theconnection therewith afforded by said actuating member.`

22. The, combination cuit breakers each'provided with an operatinghandle arranged to moveto an open circuit position when the circuitbreaker opens in response to the current passing therethrough, oi' meanssecuring said breakers together in side by side relation with the pivotsof said handles on a comsvith a pmrenty of en.

mon axis and said handles movable in` parallel relation between theclosed and open circuit positions, a common actuating v member for saidhandles pivotally mounted between said handles, a pair of ilanges oneach side oi.' said actuating member loosely embracing said handlesrespectively, and yieldable means cooperating with said actuating memberand said handles for normally holding said handles in predeterminedcentral positions with respect to said actuating member g so that whenone of said circuit breakers'opens` in response to current the handle ofthat breaker is free to move through a limited angle toward its opencircuit position. A

23. A circuit breaker comprising a switch meniber, means mountingr saidswitch member for pivotal movement about a plurality of points betweenopen and closed circuit. positions, a current responsive device normallysecuring a point of said switch member, a spring biasing said switchmember toone ofA said positions about -said point as a pivot and apivoted handle hav-r ing a protection engaging said switch member tovmovesaid` switch member labout said point between said positions,' saidspring moving said switch member about said projection as a pivot to itsopen circuit position. when said switch member is released by saidcurrent responsive device and said handle being returned thereby to itsopen circuit position. f

24. A circuit breaker comprising a switch member, means mounting saidswitch member for pivotal movement about a plurality ot points betweenopen and closed circuit positions, a curofsaid switch member, a springbiasing said switch member to its open circuit position about said endas a pivot andan operating member having'a projection movable intoengagement with said switchl member to thereby move said switch member4to` -its closed circuit. position,

againstk the forge oi' said spring, said operating member being heldinits closedfcircuit position by-said Vswitch member, said springmoving' said member, means mounting said switch member 75 sive device,and guide between open and closed circuit positions, a currentresponsive device normally securing one end of said switch member, 'aspring biasing said switch member to its open circuit position aboutsaid end as a pivot and a pivoted operating'V member having ajprojectionmovableinto engagement with saidswitch member to aposition between saidswitch member and the pivot of said operating member to thereby movesaid switch member to its closed circuit position against the force ofsaid spring, s aid proj ection being thereby held between said switchmember and the pivot o f said operating member and said spring movingsaid switch member about said projection as a pivot to'its open circuitposition when said switch member is released by said current responsive4device and said projection being thereby biased to return said operatingmember to its open circuit position by the switch member.

26. A circuit breaker comprising a switch arm, means mounting saidIswitchs arm for pivotal movement about a plurality of points betweenopen and closed circuit positions, a current responsive device normallysecuring one end of said switch arm, a 'spring biasing said switch armto its open circuit position about said end as a pivot, a pivotedoperating handle having a projection moveable into engagement with saidswitch arm to thereby move said switch arm to its closed circuitposition against the force of said spring. said operating handle beingheld in a closed circuit position by said switch arm andsaid springmoving said switch arm about said projection as apivot to its opencircuit position when said `switch arm is released by said currentresponmeans controlling the lonsaid switch arm so that about lsaidprojection into gitudinal position of said` switch arm moves -engagementwith a different portion thereof to therethrough. oi' means securingsaid breakers circuit positions,

in side by side relation so that said handles are movable togetherbetween the closed and open for said handles, pivot means independentofi. said handles for pivotally mounting said. actuating member betweensaid-handles and' connecting Y 'means between said common actuatingmember -re'nt` responsive device normally securing one end and saidhandles providing for limited movement of each handle toward openposition independently oi' the other handle to thereby indicate lof oneof said circuit breakers. 28. The combination with a plurality oi'autoautomatic opening matic circuit breakers,each provided with anoperating handle biased vto move to an open circuit position when thecircuit breaker opens automatically inresponse to the current passingtherethrough, of means securing said lbreakers together in side by siderelation so that said handles vmay Vclosed and open circuit positions, acommon actuating. member for said handles-means independent ofsaidhandles mounting said actuating tween said common actuating of saidhandles providing for or the corresponding handle member and eachlimited movement for'pivotal movement about a plurality of points forceapplied thereto by said l a common actuating member be vmoved togetherbetween theV a connection betoward open posi-4 tion when one of saidcircuit breakers opens in response to current to thereby indicate suchautomatlc opening, and resilient means yieldably connecting saidactuating member with said handles for normally holding said handles ina predetermined relation with said actuating member.

29. The combination with a plurality of circuit breakers each providedwith a pivoted operating handle arranged to move to an open circuitposition when the circuit breaker opens automatically in response to thecurrent passing therethrough, of means securing said breakers togetherin side byside relation with the pivots of said handles on asubstantially common axis and so that said handles are movable togetherbetween the closed and open circuit positions, a common actuating memberfor said'handles, a pivot for said common actuating member having anaxis common with the pivot axis of said handles for mounting said commonactuating member between said handles, andconnecting means between saidcommon actuating member and said handles providing for a limitedmovement of each handle toward the open circuit position independentlyof the other handle to thereby indicate the automatic opening of one ofsaid circuit breakers.

30. In a circuit breaker, a contact, a bar whose movement controlsmovement of the contact and to which the contact is operativelyconnected, a handle and a spring' arranged to bias the bar in oppositedirections, and formation means on the gar arranged to be engaged by thehandle wherey? lated to pull the bar in thereon of the spring'.

3l. An automatically releasing circuit breaker having an actuated part,a spring biasing means and an overload latch therefor, and a handle formoving the part to and from on" and o.'" positions and for relatchingthe part after an overload release thereof, the parts being so arrangedthat on an overload release of the latch, the spring moves the part outof "on position, and into a trip" position, trip` free of the handle,and then moves the part into o position and the handle out of on"position, if the handle is not held manually, or when the handle isreleased, in case it was held manually duringthe overload releasemovement of the part.

32. An automatically releasing circuit breaker the direction of the biasin emergencies, the handle may be manipu- `the handle from "on to "oiTdle may be manipulated so to do,

' moving the part to and from overload release thereof,'the parts beingso arranged that on an overload release of the latch, the spring movesthe part out of on position, and into a trip position, trip free of theh andle, and then moves the part into oiT' position and the handle outof on" position, if the handle is not held manually, or whew-the handleis released, in case it was held manually during the overload releasemovement of the part, the handle being so constructed as to push or camthe part into on position when it is moved to on" position, and torelease the part for movement by the spring when it is moved out of on"position, there being a formation on the part enabling it to be moved bythe handle out of trip position and into off position, whereby, in theevent the spring fails to move the part out of "trip and into off"position and fails to move position, the hanby being moved from the on"position to the offpositloin 34. An automatically releasing circuitbreaker having an actuated part, a spring biasing means and an overloadlatch therefor, and a handle for on and.off positions and for relatchingthe part after an overload release thereof, the parts being so arrangedthat moving the part to on an overload release of the latch, the springmoves the part out of on" position, and into a trip" position, -tripfree of the handle, and then moves the part into "off position and thehandle out of on position, if the|handle is not held manually, or whenthe handle is released, in case it was held manually ,during theoverload release movement of the part, the actuated part comprising a.floating bar having a latch connection at one end about which it pivotson normal handle actuation and adapted to be engaged by the handlebetween its ends.

35. An automatically releasing circuit breaker having an actuated part,a spring biasing meansv and an overload latch therefor, and a handle forand from on and ofi posi- 'tions and for relatching the part after anovermoves the part into off having an actuated part, a spring biasingmeans and an overload latch therefor, and a handle for moving the partto and from on and "ofi" positions and for relatching the part after anoverload release thereof, the parts being so arranged that on anoverload release of the latch, the spring Imoves the part out of onposition, and into a trip" position, trip free of the handle, and thenmoves the part into off position and the handle out of on" position, ifthe handle is not held manually.. or when the handle is released, incase it was held manually during the overload release movement of thepart, the handle being so constructed as to push Vor cam the part intoon position when it is moved to on" position, and to release the p artfor movement by the spring when it is moved out of "on" position.V

33. An automatically releasing circuit breaker having an actuated part,a spring biasing means and an overload latch therefor, and a handle formoving the part to and from"on" and "oiP positions and :or relatchingthe part after an load release thereof, the parts being so arranged thaton an overload release of the latch, the spring moves the part out of"on position, andy into a trip" position, trip free of the handle, fandthen position and v the handle out of on position, if the handle is notheld manualy, or when the handle is released. in case it was heldmanually during the overload release movement of the part, there being aformation on the part enabling it to be r'noved by the handle out oftrip" position and into on position, whereby, in the event the springfails to move the part out of trip and into o position and fails to movethe handle from on to 05" position,- the handle may be manipulated sotodo, by being moved from the "on" positionto the ofi position.

' is not held manually, or when the handle is reoverload releasemovement of manually during the the part, the handle leased. in case itwas-held 36. An automatically releasing circuit breaker l the springwhen it is moved out of l -on position tothe "o l 'part comprisingariioating bar having a latch conbeing so constructed as.

into on position when tion, and' to release the part formovement by itis moved to on pomv "on position. the actuated part comprising ailoating bar havtobe engaged by the handle between its ends.

37. Amautomatically releasing circuit breaker Y having an actuated part,a spring biasing means ltions andior relatching the part after an over4load release thereof, the parts being so arranged that on an overloadrelease of spring moves the part out oi' "on position. and into a trip"position. trip ireeoi' the handle, and then moves the part into onposition and the handle out offfon positiom if thehandle is not held.manually. or when the handle is re'- leased. in case it was heldmanually during the overload release movement of the part, 4the handlebeing so-constructed as to push or cam the part in'to on position whenitis moved to "on" position, and to release the part tor movement by thespringwhen it is moved out of on position, vthere being a. formation onthe part enabling it to be moved by the handle out of trip" position andinto 0112" position, whereby, in the event the vspring tails to move thepartout otJtrip" and into oir position and fails to move the handle`from Lon" to o position, the handle may be manipulated so to do, bybeing moved from the position. ,the actuated nection at one end aboutwhich it pivots on normalV handle actuation by the handle between itsends.

3s. A circuit bmakerccmprising a switcn mem,

ber, means mounting said switch member for pivotal movement-about aplurality Qfpolnts between open and closed circuit positions, a cui-rentresponsive device normally securing a point of said switch member,aspring biasing said switch member to one o! said positions about saidpoint the latch, theV and adapted to be engaged ing a latch connectionat one end about which it pivots on `normal handle actuation and4adapted and an overload latch therefor, and a handle for Amoving thepart to` and from on and "oT posi- ,when said switch rent responsivedevice lrality of points, a current 22,218V to push or cam the part asa,pivot, a pivoted handle having a ojection engaging said switch memberto move sa d switch member about said point between said positions, saidspring movingsaid switch member about said projection as a pivot kto itsopen circuit position turned thereby to its open circuit position, astop engaged by the movable end oisaid switch mem-Y spring movessaidswitch ber about which said member to a reset position to be securedby said current responsive. device, and actuating means on said handlecooperating with said switch member to reset said switch member in theevent said spring fails-to reset said switch member.

39. A Vcircuit breaker conducting'switch member, means'mounting saidswitch member for pivotal'movement about agpluresponsive device normally.securing one end oi' said 'switch member, a contact carried by theother end oi' said switch member, electrical connections connecting saidswitch member in the circuit 4 of the` breaker. spring means'biasingsaid switch member to an open circuit position about said currentresponsive d evice as a pivot, a handle Vmatie of electricallyinsulatingmaterial engaging said switch member to move it betW'een its open andclosed circuit positions, said springimoving said switch member aboutsaid handle to its open circuit positin when said switch member isreleased by said current responsive device and said handle beingreturned thereby to its open circuit position, a stop engaged by themovable end oi' said switch member and about which said spring movessaid switch member to a reset position to be secured by said currentresponsive devicel and actuating means on said handle cooperating withsaid switch member to hold saidhandle in an intermediate position in theevent said spring fails to move said switch member to said resetposition and for resetting said nswitch member when said handle is movedto its open circuit po' sition.

FRED G. von` HOQRN.

member is released by said cur- ,v

and saidl handle being recomprlsing'an electrically

